Posted on January 20th, 2026

By Dr. Robert Caruso, DMin, MDiv, MART, MA, ALMFT

The discovery of an affair is often described as an earthquake—it shatters the ground beneath a relationship, leaving partners feeling disoriented and uncertain about the future. However, at The Caruso Wellness Center in Chicago, IL, we believe that while an affair marks the end of an old way of relating, it doesn't have to mark the end of the relationship itself.

Through post-affair therapy, many couples find that they can not only recover but actually build a more honest, resilient, and intimate bond than they had before.

Understanding the "Why": An Adlerian Perspective on Infidelity

In Adlerian psychology, we view all behavior as goal-oriented. When healing infidelity, we look beyond the "what" happened and explore the "why." This isn't about making excuses; it’s about understanding the private logic and the search for belonging that went astray.

The Search for Significance: Often, an affair is a misguided attempt to find significance or escape a feeling of "not being enough."

The Social Interest Gap: Infidelity usually occurs when the "social interest"—the mutual care for the partnership—has been eclipsed by individual discouragement.

The Goal of Healing: Our approach to relationship rebuilding after an affair focuses on restoring that social interest, moving from a place of "me vs. you" back to a unified "we."

The Path to Trust Restoration Post-Affair

Rebuilding trust is not a linear process; it is a dedicated practice. At our Chicago clinic, we guide couples through specific marital trust recovery strategies:

1.Radical Transparency: The foundation of trust building is the removal of secrets. We provide a safe, mediated space for the hurt partner to ask questions and for the involved partner to provide honest, consistent answers. This transparency is the first step in overcoming barriers after an affair.

2. Empathy and Encouragement: For the hurt partner, healing requires their pain to be fully witnessed and validated. For the partner who was unfaithful, it takes courage to face the damage without retreating into shame. We use infidelity counseling sessions to foster mutual encouragement, helping both partners stay "in the work" when it gets difficult.

3. Redefining Intimacy: Intimacy building after cheating involves more than just physical connection. It’s about emotional safety. We help couples identify the "lifestyle" patterns that may have contributed to a distance in the marriage and replace them with new rituals of connection and shared meaning.

Why Professional Counseling for Post-Affair Recovery Matters

Attempting to navigate affair recovery alone can often lead to "circular" arguments that keep the wound open. Working with a couples therapy specialist or an intimacy expert at The Caruso Wellness Center provides:

1. A Structured Roadmap: Moving from the "Crisis Phase" to the "Insight Phase" and finally the "Vision Phase."

2. Emotional Regulation: Tools to manage the intense triggers and "emotional flooding" that often follow a betrayal.

3. Long-Term Resilience: Developing couples therapy for healing after cheating techniques that protect the marriage for decades to come.

Healing Begins Here in Chicago

If you are struggling with the aftermath of infidelity, know that emotional healing from infidelity is possible. At The Caruso Wellness Center, we specialize in helping Chicago couples navigate the complexities of building trust in marriage after infidelity with grace, clinical expertise, and Adlerian insight.

Take the First Step

You don't have to carry this burden alone. Reach out to The Caruso Wellness Center today to learn more about our specialized post-affair therapy and how we can help you rebuild your relationship on a foundation of truth and purpose.